Here we have an oddball from the turn of the millennium, and one that only enjoyed a three-year production run. Swiss fake Omega UK released the Speedmaster Split-Seconds in 1999, just one year after the debut of the Speedmaster X-33. If you are familiar with the styling of the X-33, you will notice similarities in this Split-Seconds model. The noticeably beefy case has a similar profile and crown guards, wedge-shaped pushers, and a spacious bezel. The lyre lugs on both replica watches for sale are thicker than the on the standard Moonwatch, giving their cases a more imposing stance. The cases of this model and the X-33 also both measure just over 42mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug of 48mm and change. Both watches have 20mm lugs and the then-typical perfect replica Omega Speedmaster bracelet design with ovular links. The rehaut of this watch and the X-33’s bezel even share a very similar typeface. That, however, is where the similarities end.
The luxury fake Omega Speedmaster Split-Seconds is certainly its own beast. This is due, in no small part, to its stainless steel construction. No X-33 titanium here, folks — sorry. It’s also a chunky monkey at 16mm thick, standing over a millimeter taller than the X-33. It has a bold tachymeter bezel, a unique handset and dial, and of course, a mechanical caliber running the show. If you like the general look of the 1:1 replica Omega X-33 case, but timing space missions digitally isn’t your jam, may I suggest timing lap splits mechanically instead?
This ain’t your daddy’s Moonwatch
While working for Fratello, my love for the Moonwatch has grown. RJ’s Speedy Tuesday articles, our enthusiastic community, and my colleagues’ passion for their Speedies have all rubbed off on me. I see the Moonwatch as a beautifully functional design and respect it as a timeless icon of horology. Still, having variety is a good thing, and I also appreciate the AAA fake Omega Speedmaster UK as a platform for design. I gravitate heavily to the lighter-dial models, and this silver dial is right up my alley. With legible black printing and beautiful blued hands, it provides great readability with a classy touch. Blued hands are a treat on any Speedmaster model, and Swiss movement replica Omega executed them expertly here.
A spade hand for the hours and a sword hand for the minutes is a combo I’ve never seen on other Swiss made replica Omega Speedmaster models. The upper chronograph seconds hand is unique too. Its tip reminds me of a post on a wrought-iron fence. I could go on about each of the seven hands here, but you get the idea: they are refreshingly different! I also love the fonts on the dial and rehaut. They are legible and make an impact without looking overdone. I will admit, however, that my biggest complaint is the lackluster font on the tachymeter bezel. I find it too large, boring, and incongruent with the rest. It looks like someone designed the bezel with a word processor, and choosing 40pt bold Arial was the best they could do.
Saving grace with a split-seconds movement
No worries, though. The movement makes up for it. You won’t be able to see it due to the solid case back, but inside lies the top copy Omega caliber 3600. This 28-jewel 4Hz movement is based on — you guessed it — the ever-reliable Valjoux 7750. It explains why this watch is 16mm tall, as the split-seconds module sits atop an already-chunky base (7.9mm thick in its standard form). The double-cam-lever setup of this movement helps simplify the rattrapante/split-seconds complication. Traditional rattrapante movements use double-column wheels and are (in)famously delicate and complex to produce. With Richard Habring’s re-engineering of the complication in 1992, however, the 7750 proved a sturdy alternative. The high quality replica Omega followed Habring’s lead, giving this “boring” workhorse caliber a grand complication. Allowing the user to measure splits between two concurrent events via the pusher at 10 o’clock, it is horological revelry made accessible.
You will notice, however, that this caliber lacks the traditional day/date window of the Valjoux 7750. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Considering the general rarity of a rattrapante complication compared to the number of dead-standard 7750s out there, I’d say it’s a pretty fair tradeoff this time.